WASHINGTON, DC - Recent reports indicate that in the last 48 hours, a surge in deportations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have resulted in the detainment of numerous individuals, including those designated as “low priority" for deportation, pursuant to the Obama Administration’s priorities for removal. In response, LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. released the following statement:

“Recent reports regarding ICE's latest raids of homes and communities across the country have left the immigrant community fearing for their safety and security. It appears that ICE has started its effort to make good on campaign promises regarding mass deportations of undocumented individuals whose only crime is a lack of status. According to reports, the raids were conducted at people’s homes and places of work. In addition, individuals who were meeting with immigration officials during a routine check-in were also detained. These individuals have never posed a threat to their communities and for the most part have been allowed to live their lives and provide for their families. The deportations of innocent people don’t make our country safe; rather, they stain the very ideals that make our country great. As Americans, we are profoundly saddened for the hundreds of individuals and their families who today awake to a world without a loved one. As community leaders, we must stand up against the targeting of the immigrant community and demand an immediate halt to deportation raids that tear families apart and destabilize our communities.”

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.